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MINNEAPOLIS—This looks like the time for Jakeem Grant to back up his talk that he’s a receiver first, returner second. He wrapped up a strong preseason in the Minnesota game Thursday and he’s in line for a real role in the Dolphins’ offense.

Grant caught four passes for 141 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings and would’ve had more if not for some penalties. In four preseason games, he went for eight receptions, 230 yards and two touchdowns.

“I was just trying to go out there and make a play and just show everybody I’m a receiver before a returner,” he said. “I was just going out there and making plays and doing whatever I can to still be consistent and have the coaches be able to trust me. That’s another step that I took tonight.

“I just want to stack up play after play so the coaches know, ‘Whenever I put Jakeem in, there’s gonna be a big play.’”

That thought is certainly in Adam Gase’s head.

Grant’s an unusual weapon at 5-foot-7, 169 pounds, but he has exceptional speed. The Vikings couldn’t keep up with him whatsoever, and that speed will translate against first stringers as long as his hands are good.

While his speed made him intriguing last year, too, he’s far more refined now than he was going into the 2016 season.

“I don’t feel like it was on their end; it was more on my end of not being ready,” he said. “This year, I’m night and day from last year as far as being a better player and a better pro, just learning the ins and outs and learning from veteran guys like Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills.”

Join our reporters for a special evening as they talk NFL with Dolphins Pro Bowl Guard Jermon Bushrod, two-time Super Bowl champion Bob Kuechenberg and former Dolphins Pro Bowl linebacker Kim Bokamper on Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Bokamper’s Fort Lauderdale. The event is free to the first 100 people and will include raffles, light bites and drinks.